Most CODA-accredited dental hygiene programs require science prerequisites to be completed within 5 years of application. If your A&P, Microbiology, or Chemistry is older than that, here is exactly what to do.
| Prerequisite Course | Recency Rule (Typical) | Needs Refreshing? | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anatomy & Physiology I & II | 5 years (most programs) | Yes — if >5 years old | Most commonly expired prerequisite at CODA programs |
| Microbiology | 5 years (most programs) | Yes — if >5 years old | Frequently expired for career changers with old science credits |
| General Chemistry | Varies — often 5–7 years | Verify per program | Many programs have no chemistry recency rule; verify |
| General Biology | Varies — often 5–7 years | Verify per program | Some programs waive recency for Biology; verify |
| English Composition | Usually no recency rule | No | Recency rules typically apply to science courses only |
| General Psychology | Usually no recency rule | No | Recency rules typically apply to science courses only |
| Statistics / Math | Usually no recency rule | No | Recency rules typically apply to science courses only |
CODA programs impose recency requirements because biomedical science content evolves and because prerequisite GPA must reflect current academic capability. A student who earned an A in A&P 10 years ago may retain the knowledge — but the program has no way to verify current performance without a recent grade. Refreshing an expired prerequisite gives you both a current grade and a current demonstration of academic readiness.
No semester wait. Enroll today, start immediately, and complete your refresh in 4–8 weeks. Your UIU transcript reflects a current completion date — fully satisfying the recency requirement.
Valid alternative but significantly slower. You must wait for the next semester start (August or January), then complete a 16-week course. Total time: 5–8 months vs. 4–8 weeks at PrereqCourses.
If your A&P is expiring this year and you plan to apply in the next CODA cycle, start your refresh immediately. Don't wait until the semester before applications open — give yourself 2–3 months of buffer.
A refresh is also a GPA improvement opportunity. If your original A&P grade was a B or below, a strong refresh grade (A or A–) can meaningfully improve your prerequisite GPA and strengthen your application.
The most frequently expired dental hygiene prerequisite. Complete a fresh refresh in 4–8 weeks — no semester wait.
Enroll immediately after completing A&P I refresh. Clears both semesters of the recency requirement.
Second most commonly expired prerequisite. Refresh quickly alongside A&P to clear both science recency requirements simultaneously.
Verify whether your target programs impose a chemistry recency rule before refreshing — many do not.
Self-paced, regionally accredited, and accepted by CODA programs. Start today — no waitlist, no semester schedule.
